!NEW! Dan Akerson to Retire as GM CEO in January 2014

Mary Barra to Become Next GM CEO; Dan Ammann Named President

Daniel F. Akerson - GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Company

General Motors today announced that Dan Akerson, who guided today’s GM to record profits and dramatic improvement in vehicle quality while closing the chapter on government ownership in the company, will step down as chairman and CEO on Jan. 15, 2014.

Mary Barra to become next GM CEO

Mary T. Barra - GM Executive Vice President, Global Product Development & Global Purchasing & Supply Chain

Mary Barra, 51, executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, was elected by the Board of Directors to become the next CEO of the company.  Barra will also join the GM Board. 

Dan Akerson, 65, pulled ahead his succession plan by several months after his wife was recently diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer.

The Board also named Theodore (Tim) Solso to succeed Akerson as Chairman.  Solso, 66, is the former chairman and CEO of Cummins, Inc., and has been a member of the GM Board since June 2012.

Theodore M. Solso - GM Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cummins, Inc.

“I will leave with great satisfaction in what we have accomplished, great optimism over what is ahead and great pride that we are restoring General Motors as America’s standard bearer in the global auto industry,”  Akerson said in a message to employees.

With 33 years of experience at GM, Barra has risen through a series of manufacturing, engineering, and senior staff positions.  She is a leader in the company’s ongoing turnaround, revitalizing GM’s product development process resulting in the launch of critically acclaimed new products while delivering record product quality ratings and higher customer satisfaction.

“With an amazing portfolio of cars and trucks and the strongest financial performance in our recent history, this is an exciting time at today’s GM,” said Barra. “I’m honored to lead the best team in the business and to keep our momentum at full speed.”

Dan Ammann, 41, executive vice president and chief financial officer, was named company president and will assume responsibility for managing the company’s regional operations around the world.  The global Chevrolet and Cadillac brand organizations and GM Financial will also report to Ammann.

Daniel Ammann - GM Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Ammann joined GM in 2010 where his first assignment was to manage GM’s initial public offering. As CFO, he has led a transformation of GM’s finance operations into a world-class organization.  He also led the strategy to rebuild the company’s captive finance capability through the successful establishment and growth of GM Financial.

“We have a significant opportunity to further integrate and optimize our operations to deliver even better results,” said Ammann.  “While we have made good progress, we still have much work ahead of us to realize GM’s full potential.”

Ammann will retain CFO responsibilities at least through the release of the company’s fourth quarter and full-year 2013 results in early February 2014.  His replacement as CFO will be named later.

Mark Reuss, 50, executive vice president and president, North America, will replace Barra as executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain.  Under Reuss’ watch, GM’s North America region has produced consistent profits and improved margins during a product renaissance that includes the launch of award-winning cars and trucks such as the Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Corvette, Impala and Silverado pickup.

Mark Reuss - GM Executive Vice President and President, North America

“The driver’s seat of designing and engineering the strongest product line up in GM’s history is the best seat to have,” said Reuss.  “We’re going to keep the pedal down on GM’s product resurgence and keep winning new customers.”

Alan Batey, currently senior vice president, Global Chevrolet and U.S. Sales and Marketing, will replace Reuss and is named Executive Vice President and President, North America.  Batey, 50, joined GM’s Vauxhall operation in 1979 and held several sales, service and marketing positions around the world.  In his current position, he has developed the Chevrolet brand’s Find New Roads advertising campaign and has overseen a sweeping upgrade of retail sales and service operations at hundreds of U.S. dealerships.

Alan Batey - GM Senior Vice President, Global Chevrolet Brand Chief & U.S. Sales and Marketing

“North America is the foundation of the GM turnaround story and I’m honored to help continue what Mark started,” said Batey.  “We remain committed to delivering the world’s best retail experience to match the world’s best cars and trucks.”

The company also announced that Steve Girsky, 51, vice chairman, Corporate Strategy, Business Development and Global Product Planning, will move to a senior advisor role until leaving the company in April 2014.  He will remain on the GM Board of Directors.

Stephen J. Girsky - GM Vice Chairman, Corporate Strategy, Business Development & Global Product Planning

Girsky led GM’s turnaround plan for Europe that has put that region’s operations back on a path to profitability.  He has also put GM’s OnStar unit at the forefront of in-vehicle connectivity and helped create GM Ventures to speed the commercialization of new technologies in GM vehicles.

“I share Dan’s pride for what the company has accomplished and his sense of optimism for a bright future,” said Girsky.  “This team is united in its commitment to building on the foundation that we have established.”

Under Akerson’s leadership, GM made swift progress as the company transformed from being majority owned by U.S. Treasury to being publicly traded and investment grade rated.

“My goals as CEO were to put the customer at the center of every decision we make, to position GM for long term success and to make GM a company that America can be proud of again,” Akerson said.  “We are well down that path, and I’m certain that our new team will keep us moving in that direction.”

Akerson was named GM Chairman and CEO on September 1, 2010.  He joined GM in 2009 as a member of its Board of Directors.  Since the company’s November 2010 Initial Public Offering, GM has recorded 15 consecutive quarters of profitability, has earned this year the best overall initial vehicle quality scores of any auto manufacturer, and has re-invested nearly $9 billion and created or retained more than 25,000 jobs at its U.S plants.

!NEW! Cabriolet Power: 200 hp Opel Cascada Turbo from 29,490 Euros

• Opel Cascada with new top 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine can now be ordered
• Optional new-generation IntelliLink system brings smartphone world into each Opel Cascada
• New chassis and roof colors expand the Opel Cascada Collection 2014

Opel Cascada with new 200 hp 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine

Even stronger, more attractive and more modern: the Opel Cascada is now also available with the 147 kW/200 hp version of the all-new 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo engine. The new-generation Turbo is the top-of-the-line unit in the Opel Cascada engine portfolio with powerful maximum torque of 300 Nm thanks to overboost. This powerhouse Opel Cascada is available for an entry-level price of 29,490 euros (RRP incl. VAT in Germany).

Opel Cascada with new 200 hp 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo  - Two tail pipes

The Cascada has even more new features on offer, with the color collection 2014 boasting two new shades. The ten body colors already available are now joined by sophisticated Emerald Green and classic Magnetic Silver. In addition, the year-round convertible’s premium soft-top, which can be opened in 17 seconds at driving speeds up to 50 km/h, can now be ordered in a fourth color, Khaki Grey. In the cockpit, the Cascada offers the state-of-the-art, very user-friendly and fast IntelliLink infotainment system. With this, driver and passengers can simply bring their smartphone world into the Opel Cascada.

Opel Cascada with new 200 hp Direct Injection Turbo 1.6 ECOTEC  - TURBO emblem with red lettering

“Our year-round, all-season Cascada convertible introduced in the spring now offers even more choice – with an additional top-of-the-line engine, our trendsetting IntelliLink infotainment system and elegant colors,” says Opel Management Board Member for Sales Peter Küspert. “Now all potential cabriolet customers can look at our extensive convertible offer and choose the Cascada that best fits their needs and wishes. At the same time, we again show that we offer innovative technologies in attractive packages at very affordable prices.”

1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo: Top torque with economical fuel consumption

New Opel 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo: the new-generation Turbo is the top-of-the-line unit in the Cascada engine portfolio with powerful maximum torque of 300 Nm thanks to overboost.

147 kW/200 hp output, 300 Nm maximum torque thanks to overboost and 235 km/h top speed – the high-performance 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo from Opel’s new-generation engine family that made its world premiere in the Opel Cascada at this year’s IAA is now available to order. The engine is one of the all-new Opel four-cylinder units with gasoline direct injection and in this second, new variant marks the top of Opel’s 1.6 liter class. The Cascada features exemplary elasticity, accelerating from 80 to 120 km/h in just 9.2 seconds in fifth gear. In spite of its top performance figures, the mid-size convertible consumes only 6.7 liters fuel per 100 km (158 g/km CO2) in the combined cycle.

The new 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo with 147 kW/200 hp rounds off the Cascada engine portfolio on the top end, with four gasoline units now available. It joins the 1.4 Turbo with 88 kW/120 hp and 103 kW/140 hp as well as the 125 kW/170 hp 1.6 liter gasoline direct injection unit. On the diesel side, a 2-liter turbo diesel with 121 kW/165 hp and the 143 kW/195 hp 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI are available. Both need just 5.2 liters fuel per 100 km and emit 138 g/km CO2, easily earning them the German A energy efficiency label.

New body and roof colors make Opel Cascada even more individual

The new body colors underscore the Cascada’s powerful, elegant appearance. Cascada customers can now also choose the sophisticated pearlescent Emerald Green lacquer or the double-layer metallic Magnetic Silver paint. And Opel also expands the offer for the roof. The premium soft-top with exceptional thermal and acoustic insulation can now also be ordered in light Khaki Grey, increasing the selection to four roof colors.

Innovative Opel IntelliLink infotainment technology now also for Cascada

Opel Cascada - Navi 950 IntelliLink 

With Opel’s new-generation IntelliLink system, state-of-the-art infotainment technology including fast, user-friendly navigation and voice control makes its way into the Cascada cockpit. Easy operation is guaranteed via a seven-inch, high-resolution color monitor that also displays images from the optional rearview camera. The system features Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, while the top-of-the-line Navi 950 IntelliLink contains maps of all of Europe. Map updates can be downloaded via USB. The driver can also for example have the system read out incoming text messages. In addition to voice control over IntelliLink, the new Opel system also supports and integrates smartphones’ own voice recognition functions.

!NEW! Opel four-valve engines look back on 100 year tradition

First four-valve engine: In 1913, Opel developed a new generation of racing cars for the Grand Prix de France, a forerunner of today’s formula one races.

1913 Grand Prix car: First Opel with four-valve engine

Opel Kadett GSi 16V: First Opel volume model with four-valves per cylinder

Opel Calibra Turbo 4x4: First Opel with gasoline turbo engine

Opel ECOTEC DTI 16V: First direct injection turbo diesel with four-valve technology

Opel 1.0 ECOTEC Turbo

Opel 1.6 ECOTEC Turbo

Opel 1.6 CDTI ECOTEC

The all-new turbocharged 1.6 liter gasoline and diesel engines which began the current renewal of Opel’s powertrain portfolio, and the compact 1.0 three-cylinder turbo that made its world premiere at the 2013 Frankfurt International Motor Show, are the latest in a long line of Opel engines with four valves per cylinder that stretches back 100 years.

In 1913, Opel developed a new generation of racing cars for the Grand Prix de France, a forerunner of today’s formula one races.

1913 Grand Prix car - First Opel with four-valve engine

Opel produced three of these cars, each one built down to a rigorous weight limit of only 1000 kg. The real highlight, however, was under the hood, where an innovative new four-cylinder power unit provided the motive force.

First four-valve engine: In 1913, Opel developed a new generation of racing cars for the Grand Prix de France, a forerunner of today’s formula one races.

In addition to an aluminum crankcase and a single camshaft in the cylinder head, the 4.5 liter, 110 hp engine also featured two intake valves and two exhaust valves per cylinder – Opel’s first internal combustion engine with four valves per cylinder.

From “Green Monster” to Ascona 400

Opel Green Monster 

Opel further developed the concept the following year, resulting in the most gigantic automobile the company has ever made – the 12.3 liter “Opel Rennwagen”, also known as “Das grüne Monster”, the “Green Monster”.

Opel Green Monster - 12.3 liter 4-valve engine developed a huge 260 hp

The revised 12.3 liter 4-valve engine developed a huge 260 hp, capable of propelling the 2000 kg “Monster” to a maximum speed of 228 km/h!

Opel works racing driver, Carl Joerns, scored most of his victories in this magnificent car, especially in beach races on the Danish island of Fanø.

Four valves per cylinder went out of fashion throughout the automotive industry in the 1920s. They did not reappear until the late 1950s, in motor racing, and it was via rallying that Opel introduced the technology to its road cars in 1979.

In order to compete in group 4, the top class of rallying at the time, with the Ascona 400, Opel had to produce a “road-going” model. While the rally-thoroughbred featured a newly developed, 177 kW (240 hp), 4-valve power unit, the homologation-special was equipped with a 140-hp version of the 2.4-liter engine.

1979 Opel Ascona 400 -  Rally version

Despite this detuning, the “street-legal” Ascona 400 was still good enough for a maximum speed of 200 km/h and zero to 100 km/h-acceleration in 7.6 seconds.

1979 Opel Ascona 400 -  Road version

In the 1980s, four-valve engines became increasingly attractive, not only because of their inherent horsepower-advantage, but also because of their lower fuel consumption and reduced exhaust emissions.

1988 Opel Kadett GSi - 2.0 16V engine produced 110 kW (150 hp)

When Opel introduced the legendary Kadett GSi 16V in 1988, the brand’s first volume-model with four valves per cylinder, it immediately became an industry-icon.

1988 Opel Kadett GSi 2.0 16V 

Opel 2.0 16V DOHC – The engine to beat

The technological highlight of the new high performance engine designed by Dr. Fritz Indra was its aluminum cylinder head developed in cooperation with Cosworth, the famous English racing engine builder.

Opel 2.0 16V DOHC Engine

The sporty engine 2.0 16V produced 110 kW (150 hp) and maximum torque of 196 Nm at 4800 rpm. Ninety-percent of this torque was already available in a wide rev-band between 3100 and 6000 rpm.

With its specific fuel consumption of 232 g/kWh, equivalent to an efficiency rating of 37 percent, the engine was a long-standing benchmark for specific fuel consumption in four-cylinder power units.

The Opel 2.0 16V became the engine to beat in many other disciplines, too – in Formula 3 motor racing, for example, which produced so many future F1-stars like Michael Schumacher, Jarno Trulli, Nick Heidfeld and Alexander Wurz. During the classic era from the late 1990s through the mid-2000s, Opel F3 engines established themselves as the most successful in the world.

Opel Formula 3 

Despite factory-supported competition from Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and VW, Opel scored 164 F3 victories in Germany alone, plus another 30 national championship titles around the world.

Opel Formula 3 

Opel rapidly spread four-valves per cylinder to the rest of its powertrain portfolio.

The company applied four-valve technology to the smooth-running, inline six-cylinder engine in its top-of-the-line models, Omega and Senator, in 1989.

Four valves per cylinder + “Dual Ram” = Omega 3000 24V

Think big: Opel applied four-valve technology to the smooth-running, inline six-cylinder engine in its top-of-the-line models, Omega and Senator, in 1989.

1989 Opel Omega 3.0 24V  

Thanks to the so-called “Dual Ram” induction system the engine was famous for its impressive power delivery at low revs. With 90 percent of the 270 Nm maximum torque available between 3000 and 5800 rpm, the Omega 3000 24V, for example, could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds.

1989 Opel Omega 3000 24V  

By the way, the 3000 24V also provided the basis for the strongest Omega ever, the Lotus Omega, which was powered by a 3.6 liter, twin-turbocharged version of the engine developing 277 kW (377 hp). At the time, the Lotus Omega ranked just behind an extremely powerful Alpina limo as the fastest production-sedan in the world.

Lotus Omega 3.6 24V BiTurbo: The six-cylinder provided the basis for the strongest Omega ever, the Lotus Omega, which was powered by a 3.6 liter, twin-turbocharged version of the engine developing 277 kW (377 hp).

The 2.0 16V from the Kadett GSi provided the basis for the first Opel turbocharged gasoline engine, which made its world premiere at the 1991 Frankfurt motor show in the Calibra Turbo 4x4.

1991 Opel Calibra Turbo 4x4

The 150 kW (204 hp) 2.0 16V turbo was notable not only for its high torque of 280 Nm at only 2400 rpm, but also the turbocharger and the exhaust manifold, which were integrated in a single component. The extremely low thermal losses of this integrated system significantly increased the efficiency of the turbocharger.

With all wheel drive: The 2.0 16V from the Kadett GSi provided the basis for the first Opel turbocharged gasoline engine, which made its world premiere at the 1991 Frankfurt motor show in the Calibra Turbo 4x4.

Despite the 42-percent higher torque and 36-percent higher power-output of the 2.0 16V Turbo compared with the naturally aspirated version, the average fuel consumption of both engines in the Calibra was almost the same – 8.9 versus 8.7 l/100 km.

This tradition of high performance and high efficiency begun by the 2.0 16V in 1988 continues today with the new 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo gasoline engines.

Opel 1.6 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo: New powerful and highly efficient gasoline engine with 170 and 200 hp

Opel’s reputation for innovative four-valve engines reached another peak in 1996 when the company became the first automobile manufacturer to combine the advantages of four-valve technology with diesel direct-injection and turbocharging.

Direct - Injection Turbo diesels with patented valve train

Opel ECOTEC DTI 16V: Opel’s reputation for innovative four-valve engines reached another peak in 1996 when the company became the first automobile manufacturer to combine the advantages of four-valve technology with diesel direct-injection and turbocharging.

The ECOTEC DTI 16V diesels delivered high low-end torque, as well as low fuel consumption and emissions. The performance spectrum of the 2.0 and 2.2 liter engines stretched from 60 kW (82 hp) and 74 kW (100 hp) up to 92 kW (125 hp). They featured a patented valve-train operated by a single overhead camshaft.

The introduction of the all-new, four-cylinder, 1.6 liter CDTI turbo family earlier this year demonstrates how Opel continues to play a leading role in diesel engine development.

New Opel 1.6 CDTI ECOTEC - Euro 6 diesel engine

Featuring closed-loop combustion control and an aluminum block, the new 1.6 CDTI is the first diesel from Opel to comply with future Euro 6 emissions requirements, delivering climate friendliness, low fuel consumption, class-leading refinement, and high power/torque density.

Drivers can look forward to more such benefits in the immediate future, as Opel continues its current product-offensive and long-standing tradition of technological innovation. By 2016, the Rüsselsheim manufacturer will have renewed 80 percent of its powertrain portfolio.